FMS Science Fair Sponsors Meeting
September 9, 2013
Science Fair Dates
2014
Di i F i (Ci i C
District Fair (Civic Center)
)
F b
February 21 & 22
21 & 22
Regional Fair (PVHS Gym)
g
y
March 14& 15
State Fair
April 4 & 5
International Fair In Los Angeles, CA
g
,
May 11 ‐ 15
Step 1:
Step 1:
• Choose a topic
p
• Topics come from student observations, interests or current world events.
interests or current world events. • Science fair idea websites
• My personal favorite: My personal favorite:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org
 Review reliable
R i
li bl published material bli h d
i l
relating to the topic Step 2:
Step 2:
• Acquire
Acquire a logbook
a logbook
• Write a Literature Review to gain more background information
background information
 Review reliable published material relating to the ttopic i
 Compile a working bibliography
Step 3:
Step 3: • Develop a testable research question
Develop a testable research question
• Answerable through experimentation
• Should be written as a question
Sh ld b
itt
ti
• Can be answered with a “yes” or “no.”
Step 4:

Construct a hypothesis




The hypothesis is the “tentative” answer to the research question. Must be testable. In other words, can the hypothesis be disproved?
Materials and subjects needed to test the hypothesis are readily available and/or obtainable.
Oft
Often stated in the “If….then…” form." t t d i th “If th
”f
"
If….then…”is followed by “because…” indicating rationale.
rationale
Step 5:
Step 5:
• Planning the Study: Method
– Subjects
S bj t
• Are they the correct ones to use? Are they the b t
best ones to use?
t
?
• Can you find them? Can you get them here?
• Do you have enough money to get them?
• Can you keep them safe? Can you keep them alive and healthy? Do you need a qualified scientist’s supervision? • How many will you need in order to have a large enough sample size?
Step 6:
Step 6:
• Materials & Supplies
• Can you find them? Can you get them?
• Do you have enough money to get them?
Do you have enough money to get them?
• Are they safe to use at school, home or do you need to work with them in a laboratory setting?
need to work with them in a laboratory setting?
Step 7:
Step 7:
• Procedures
• Step‐by‐step directions up to the “Results” section of the study.
• Must be written detailed enough that M tb
itt d t il d
h th t
someone else could repeat the study, and have the same results.
• Be sure to state all safety precautions and equipment used. (Masks, gloves, goggles, etc.))
• Use only one independent variable to test against the control variable
against the control variable.
Step 8:
Step 8:
• Write a proposed research plan for approval.
• Complete the ISEF Rules Wizard to know ALL the approval forms needed to start experimentation.
• Interactive ISEF Forms
• Fill in all the forms.
• Be sure all appropriate signatures (parent, Be sure all appropriate signatures (parent
sponsor, qualified scientist, nurse, etc.) and q
p
p
dates are acquired prior to experimentation.
Protocol Forms and Rules
Protocol Forms and Rules
• Abbreviated
Abbreviated Elementary Form (Newly revised)
Elementary Form (Newly revised)
• Protocol Forms for Secondary (6‐12)
• ISEF Wizard S
i d
http://apps.societyforscience.org/isef/stu
d
dents/wizard/index.asp
/ i d/i d
• Start with the research plan
• Forms every project must have »1 1A 1B
»1,1A,1B
What is a SRC anyway?
What is a SRC anyway?
• Scientific Review Committee
Scientific Review Committee
http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/documen
t/
Human Subjects Help and Approval
Human Subjects Help and Approval
• Beth Philips –
p SJRMC Ms. Phillips likes to review human subject research plans prior to experimentation.
She is a great resource for all those behavioral science projects our kids love so much. Have your students email her at:
Have your students email her at: [email protected]
Beth Philips
p
IRB Administrator
505 402 6825
Step 9:
Step 9:
• Conduct the experiment Conduct the experiment
– Record detailed notes, measurements, observations and data into the logbook
observations and data into the logbook. – Use appropriate data tables and charts to record all measurements.
all measurements.
Step 10:
Step 10:
• Analyze the data using graphs
Analyze the data using graphs
– Was the hypothesis supported?
– Could errors in experimentation have caused Could errors in experimentation have caused
these results?
– What new questions are surfacing as a result of What new questions are surfacing as a result of
this experiment?
– What is a possible What is a possible “next
next step
step” in this in this
investigation?
– How can this research apply to the real world?
How can this research apply to the real world?
Preparing the Project for p
g
j
Presentation
Research Report Booklet
Research Report Booklet
• Using the notes in the logbook, develop a complete research report booklet.
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Title Page
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Materials & Procedures
Res lts
Results
Discussion of Results
Conclusion
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Appendices
Abstract
•
•
•
•
•
•
No more than 250 words
No
more than 250 words
Purpose & Hypothesis
Procedures
d
Results
Conclusion
Applications
Display Board
Display Board
• Eye catching
y
g
• Reads like a newspaper
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Title
Purpose
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedures
Photos with Captions
Tables & Graphs
Conclusion
Future Experimentation
Future Experimentation
Presenting for Judges
Presenting for Judges
•
•
•
•
•
•
Inspiration (idea
Inspiration
(idea’ss origin)
origin)
Theories
Procedures
d
Results
Conclusion
Impact on society (“so‐what
Impact on society (
so what factor
factor”))
Paper Competition
Paper Competition
• New
New Mexico Academy of Science Junior Mexico Academy of Science Junior
Academy of Science (6‐12)
• Sponsored by Erin Gockel
Sponsored by Erin Gockel
• [email protected]
• http://www.nmas.org/junior.html
htt //
/j i ht l
• Students who participate, usually do well at State SF.
Sponsor’ss Responsibilities
Sponsor
Responsibilities
• Coordinate School SF
• Give out certificates or ribbons
Give out certificates or ribbons
• School is allotted a small budget through activity funds
activity funds
• 2 Judges for interviews
Ratio for judges to projects: 1:5
• Ratio for judges to projects: 1:5
• Solicit spouses, friends, retired relatives and other “kid
other kid friendly
friendly” folks.
folks.
• Winners and strong projects invited to ( st, 2nd, and 3rd Place))
District SF. (1
• District Excel Spreadsheet on CD
Questions?
Feel free to ask any question on the conference! We are all here to help!
conference! We are all here to help! Good Luck!
Good Luck!